Housing & Urban Development Corporation Share Price

Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO)

The Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) is a Public Sector Undertaking in India, primarily engaged in providing loan financing for housing and urban infrastructure projects. Established on April 25, 1970, as The Housing and Urban Development Finance Corporation Private Limited, HUDCO has grown over the decades, evolving into a key player in the realm of housing and urban development.

HUDCO's journey from a private limited company to a public sector giant reflects its dedication to addressing housing and urban infrastructure needs in India. Over the years, the company has diversified its portfolio, offering loans for a wide range of housing, urban infrastructure, and rural development initiatives.

Timeline of Key Milestones

Incorporation and Early Years

When HUDCO was incorporated in 1970, it was granted a certificate of incorporation by the Registrar of Companies, Delhi. Initially formed as a private limited company, HUDCO's name was changed to Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited on July 9, 1974, after which it became a public company. This transition marked the beginning of HUDCO's transformation into a major public sector entity focused on advancing housing and urban development in India.

In the early years, HUDCO primarily focused on urban housing projects. However, recognizing the need for housing in rural areas, HUDCO launched its rural housing schemes in 1977. This initiative aimed to provide loan assistance for the construction of rural homes, broadening the scope of HUDCO's influence to include rural development as well.

Expansion into Research and Infrastructure

In 1986, HUDCO took a significant step forward by establishing the Human Settlement Management Institute (HSMI), which serves as the company's research and training division. The creation of HSMI marked a new chapter in HUDCO's mission, emphasising the importance of research, capacity building, and training in the housing and urban development sectors.

Two years later, in 1988, HUDCO expanded its operations to include urban infrastructure financing, further diversifying its portfolio and addressing the increasing demand for better urban infrastructure in Indian cities. This move underscored HUDCO's commitment to ensuring sustainable urban development by financing essential infrastructure projects, including water supply, sanitation, and urban transportation.

Public Financial Institution Status

In 1996, HUDCO gained recognition as a public financial institution under Section 4A of the Companies Act, 1956. This notification, issued by the Department of Company Affairs under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, elevated HUDCO's status, allowing it to play a more significant role in financing large-scale infrastructure and housing projects across the country.

Retail Financing Under HUDCO Niwas

In 1999, HUDCO ventured into retail financing by launching its brand HUDCO Niwas. This initiative was aimed at providing individual home loans, thereby catering to the housing needs of both urban and rural citizens. With HUDCO Niwas, the company began to offer financing solutions directly to individuals, adding a personalised element to its broader housing finance offerings. This expansion into retail lending helped HUDCO cater to a wider range of clients, including the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society.

Financial Growth and Tax-Free Bonds

HUDCO's financial growth has been remarkable, and from 2011 onwards, the company began raising substantial capital through the issue of tax-free bonds. During the financial year 2011-2012, HUDCO raised ₹5,000 crore through the issue of tax-free bonds, with ₹4,684.7 crore being raised through a public issue. This marked a significant achievement in HUDCO's journey, as the company’s profit after tax (PAT) crossed ₹600 crore for the first time.

In the following financial year (2012-2013), HUDCO’s PAT surpassed ₹700 crore, and the company continued to raise capital through tax-free bonds, securing ₹2,401.35 crore during the year. This trend of raising capital through tax-free bonds continued into the financial year 2013-2014, with HUDCO raising ₹4,987.12 crore, including ₹4,796.32 crore through a public issue of bonds. Similarly, in the financial year 2015-2016, HUDCO raised another ₹5,000 crore through tax-free bonds, continuing its robust financial growth.

Initial Public Offering (IPO) and Disinvestment

In May 2017, the Government of India carried out a disinvestment of 20.4 crore shares, constituting a 10.19% stake in HUDCO, through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This marked a significant phase in HUDCO's history, as the GoI's stake in the company was reduced to 89.81% from the previous 100%. The IPO was well received by the market, and HUDCO shares were listed on the stock exchanges on May 19, 2017.

Following the successful IPO, HUDCO continued to strengthen its financial position. In March 2018, the company's board approved an annual borrowing program of up to ₹40,000 crore for the financial year 2018-2019, which included the power to make private placements of non-convertible debentures (NCDs).

Resolution of Default Cases

HUDCO also made significant strides in recovering dues from defaulting borrowers. On May 28, 2018, the company announced the resolution of an old default case, where it received ₹317 crore against dues of ₹469.38 crore. This resolution came after prolonged litigation, showcasing HUDCO’s ability to recover significant amounts from defaulters.

Major Projects and Joint Ventures

By March 2019, HUDCO had become a significant player in urban infrastructure, with three Joint Venture Companies, namely Shristi Urban Infrastructure Development Ltd. (SUIDL), Pragati Social Infrastructure Development Ltd. (PSIDL), and Signa Infrastructure India Ltd. (SIIL). Additionally, HUDCO had one associate company, Ind Bank Housing Limited, in which it held a 25% stake.

During the year 2019, HUDCO sanctioned 55 proposals for financial assistance totalling ₹7,196 crore, including ₹893 crore for projects in the North Eastern States. These projects spanned various sectors such as water supply, drainage, power, social infrastructure, commercial infrastructure, and road transport.

Achievements in Housing and Urban Infrastructure

By March 2020, HUDCO had sanctioned a total of 17,284 housing and urban infrastructure projects, with a loan component of ₹2,08,039 crore. The company had also made cumulative disbursements of ₹1,71,216 crore. During the financial year 2019-2020, HUDCO sanctioned ₹3,790 crore for housing projects and ₹16,124 crore for urban infrastructure projects, further solidifying its role as a key player in urban development.

In March 2021, HUDCO sanctioned 17,301 housing and urban infrastructure projects, with a total loan of ₹2,13,082 crore and disbursed ₹1,79,527 crore. The company continued its focus on the economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income group (LIG) categories, sanctioning financial assistance for over 192.45 lakh housing units, with 95.19% of these units catering to the EWS/LIG categories.

Outlook Overview

Over the years, HUDCO has evolved into a critical player in addressing India's housing shortage, particularly for the economically weaker sections and low-income groups. Its proactive approach in financing urban infrastructure projects has also contributed significantly to the country's overall development. With a strong focus on housing, urban infrastructure, and rural development, HUDCO remains well-positioned to continue its vital role in shaping India's urban and rural landscape for years to come.